Google’s Chromebook Pixel is real, includes touchscreen and mind-blowing display

We recently heard a rumor that Google was creating a high-end Chromebook with a Retina-like touchscreen display. Today, Google confirmed that rumor with the launch of the Chromebook Pixel. This super sleek machine includes a touchscreen and a mind-blowing 4.3 million pixel display, giving it the highest pixel density of any screen currently on the market with a resolution of 2560 x 1700.

Though it runs the lightweight cloud-connected Chrome OS, the Pixel is a massive step up from other Chromebooks like the $249 Samsung model that debuted last year. In addition to the touchscreen, the Pixel has a premium finish thanks to its anodized aluminum casing, backlit keyboard, and hidden screws and vents. There’s a 720p webcam and three microphones for accurate noise cancellation. Like the image we saw when this laptop was just a rumor, the Pixel looks an awful lot like a MacBook Pro, right down to the lip beneath the trackpad for easy lid opening. That’s not a bad thing; a MacBook Pro is good-looking piece of hardware, but it is made by Google’s biggest competitor.

Google is clearly positioning the Pixel as the high-end Chromebook for the group they describe as “power users.” It’s powered by an Intel Core i5 processor paired with a solid-state drive, plust it includes 1TB of Google Drive cloud storage. Of course, there’s Wi-Fi built-in, but there’s also a model that includes Verizon’s 4G LTE service and 12 free GoGo Inflight Wi-Fi passes.

The kicker that proves this isn’t your mama’s Chromebook? The sexy looks of the Pixel will set you back $1,299 for the Wi-Fi version and $1,499 for the 4G LTE version. The Wi-Fi model is available today in the Google Play store and will start shipping next week. The 4G LTE model is also available for purchase today, but it won’t ship until April. BestBuy will also have units available to play with in-store soon.